Comments for notetoself.net http://notetoself.net john dill's glob Fri, 07 May 2010 08:08:50 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on The Flying Spaghetti Monster by Sarah Pierce by Friday Links (7-May-10) -- a Nadder! http://notetoself.net/2010/05/01/the-flying-spaghetti-monster-by-sarah-pierce/comment-page-1/#comment-941 Friday Links (7-May-10) -- a Nadder! Fri, 07 May 2010 08:08:50 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=782#comment-941 [...] Some great FSM devotional art [...] [...] Some great FSM devotional art [...]

]]> Comment on Reflecting on my dad, the minister by John Dill http://notetoself.net/2010/03/05/reflecting-on-my-dad-the-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-923 John Dill Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:51:17 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=740#comment-923 Thanks Chad. Most of the discussion is happening on my Facebook wall if you care to join. Thanks Chad. Most of the discussion is happening on my Facebook wall if you care to join.

]]> Comment on Reflecting on my dad, the minister by Chad B. http://notetoself.net/2010/03/05/reflecting-on-my-dad-the-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-922 Chad B. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:39:30 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=740#comment-922 It's great to see you lay this out so clearly. I hope it was not lost on him. The last hurdle I have in my atheist life is to be honest with my mother over my beliefs but when I tried many years ago it was not greeted with conversation, questions or even concern but rather with anger and tears. It was a scary and sad event that I don't think I want to revisit. But if I were to revisit it, I would probably re-read this post in preparation. It’s great to see you lay this out so clearly. I hope it was not lost on him.

The last hurdle I have in my atheist life is to be honest with my mother over my beliefs but when I tried many years ago it was not greeted with conversation, questions or even concern but rather with anger and tears. It was a scary and sad event that I don’t think I want to revisit.

But if I were to revisit it, I would probably re-read this post in preparation.

]]> Comment on “So what prompted the change to atheism?” by John Dill http://notetoself.net/2010/03/04/so-what-prompted-the-change-to-atheism/comment-page-1/#comment-918 John Dill Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:01:45 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=733#comment-918 Robin, thanks for the story, and I respect your insight. Feel free to post more of it. ; ) Robin, thanks for the story, and I respect your insight. Feel free to post more of it. ; )

]]> Comment on “So what prompted the change to atheism?” by Robin http://notetoself.net/2010/03/04/so-what-prompted-the-change-to-atheism/comment-page-1/#comment-916 Robin Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:12:07 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=733#comment-916 This is probably one of the more succint and apt arguments against religion that I've heard (and as the "non-writer" that you say you are, you're selling yourself short). I have been fortunate in my life to have never had religion (and to live in a region, metroplitan Boston, where religion is just NOT a topic for discussion in polite company); my atheism goes back to a conscious decision I made in childhood--in 4th grade, to be exact. I grew up in a non-religious household; talk of God was considered distasteful--a "personal" issue, according to my mother (she herself was a disillusioned Catholic who began to question religion when she was told back in the '50s that she couldn't be an altar boy because she was a girl. This made no sense to her whatsoever because to her, theology and God were genderless. At that point, she began to question the church. Today she calls the Catholic church "an evil and manipulative" organization that has nothing to do with spirituality. She also says that she can not subscribe to a religion that uses the Bible for its basis because it is a poor basis for any belief; she says it has been edited for political purposes over the eons, and can not possibly be accurate. But enough about my mother.) Nonetheless, she made me go to Sunday school as a child, not for religion but at least to gain an understanding of what all the fuss was about. She did not want me to be ignorant. So there I was in my 4th grade Sunday school class where we were learning the lesson that God is omnipresent and with us at all times, whereupon I had my own epiphany. I blurted out to the teacher's horror, "Well, if this is true, then we don't need church. And I don't believe in God, anyway." I also never reconciled the "God is good yet we must fear God" problem. Goodness and fear were anthithetical to this 10-year old. The concept of a paternal God seemed silly to me at the time, kind of like the superhero figures portrayed in Saturday morning cartoons that I knew were made up, and nothing anyone has attempted to say to counter this has reduced the silliness factor. Religion is really socially sanctioned fairy tales for adults. This is the best way I can describe it. It's the easy way out of taking responsibility for a lot of things: life, actions, examining one's life. (My personal favorite: the idea of "God's plan"; it allows people to be either slackers or obnoxiously entitled. Incredible idea.) This is probably one of the more succint and apt arguments against religion that I’ve heard (and as the “non-writer” that you say you are, you’re selling yourself short). I have been fortunate in my life to have never had religion (and to live in a region, metroplitan Boston, where religion is just NOT a topic for discussion in polite company); my atheism goes back to a conscious decision I made in childhood–in 4th grade, to be exact. I grew up in a non-religious household; talk of God was considered distasteful–a “personal” issue, according to my mother (she herself was a disillusioned Catholic who began to question religion when she was told back in the ’50s that she couldn’t be an altar boy because she was a girl. This made no sense to her whatsoever because to her, theology and God were genderless. At that point, she began to question the church. Today she calls the Catholic church “an evil and manipulative” organization that has nothing to do with spirituality. She also says that she can not subscribe to a religion that uses the Bible for its basis because it is a poor basis for any belief; she says it has been edited for political purposes over the eons, and can not possibly be accurate. But enough about my mother.) Nonetheless, she made me go to Sunday school as a child, not for religion but at least to gain an understanding of what all the fuss was about. She did not want me to be ignorant. So there I was in my 4th grade Sunday school class where we were learning the lesson that God is omnipresent and with us at all times, whereupon I had my own epiphany. I blurted out to the teacher’s horror, “Well, if this is true, then we don’t need church. And I don’t believe in God, anyway.” I also never reconciled the “God is good yet we must fear God” problem. Goodness and fear were anthithetical to this 10-year old. The concept of a paternal God seemed silly to me at the time, kind of like the superhero figures portrayed in Saturday morning cartoons that I knew were made up, and nothing anyone has attempted to say to counter this has reduced the silliness factor. Religion is really socially sanctioned fairy tales for adults. This is the best way I can describe it. It’s the easy way out of taking responsibility for a lot of things: life, actions, examining one’s life. (My personal favorite: the idea of “God’s plan”; it allows people to be either slackers or obnoxiously entitled. Incredible idea.)

]]> Comment on “So what prompted the change to atheism?” by Tucker http://notetoself.net/2010/03/04/so-what-prompted-the-change-to-atheism/comment-page-1/#comment-914 Tucker Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:32:39 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=733#comment-914 Quote: <i>"'So what prompted the change to atheism?' Well, a Christian hurt me, and now I’m mad at God. ….. No, totally just kidding, but that seems to be the most often assumed 'cause' that I hear from religious people who haven’t taken the time to listen to a de-conversion story. My mom used to ask who it was that hurt me and what happened to me. I really have no serious issue directly with any individual Christian that I’ve met personally. I think Christians are simply overwhelmed by systematic religious fear."</i> Just to challenge you--in saying "I think Christians are simply overwhelmed by systematic religious fear," aren't you making the same kind of assumption about them as you complain they make about you? Is systematic fear an element of most/all stories of conversion to Christianity? Quote: “‘So what prompted the change to atheism?’ Well, a Christian hurt me, and now I’m mad at God. ….. No, totally just kidding, but that seems to be the most often assumed ’cause’ that I hear from religious people who haven’t taken the time to listen to a de-conversion story. My mom used to ask who it was that hurt me and what happened to me. I really have no serious issue directly with any individual Christian that I’ve met personally. I think Christians are simply overwhelmed by systematic religious fear.”

Just to challenge you–in saying “I think Christians are simply overwhelmed by systematic religious fear,” aren’t you making the same kind of assumption about them as you complain they make about you? Is systematic fear an element of most/all stories of conversion to Christianity?

]]> Comment on A personal introspection for my Christian friends by Dad http://notetoself.net/2010/03/08/a-personal-introspection-for-my-christian-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-913 Dad Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:11:54 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=751#comment-913 As Matt said, this was very well written. What you have done is describe your journey. It is true that a skeptical mind has merit and that honesty is required for finding the truth. And, yes truth exists. I have heard many discribe the same journey even though they came from Islam, atheism and many other cultures and world views. We all have been or are in the same journey. There is within most people the same question as to, "Am I believing what I do just because I happened to be born into this family, culture, etc." It's a valid question. As to the math, Christianity is by far the largest religion on the planet. It is growing by leaps and bounds outside most of the US and Europe. So, your chances of 'getting lucky' are dramatically improved statistically. The beliefs and teachings are not from our ancient culture. They were from the area of the triangle of North Africa, Europe and Asia. The people first involved were not white Europeans. They were probably a mix of what we now call races. The stories and customs related were common to many of the people in those early years of human existence, before any dispersion. That would make since if either the tower of Babel story or evolutions Rift valley of Africa origins story were true. Either way, all people, languages, religions, cultures, etc. had a common beginning. Interestingly enough, the people then had the same tendencies, questions and needs that we have now. That's why learning about them through history, Archeology and the like are important to us now. By the way, The Jewish scriptures are an ancient history. The writings of early written history are of great value. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, the five thousand year of scrolls were vastly important because they verified the authenticity of those same Jewish records of history and the experiences of humans. The same can be said of the Egyptian finds. They cross verify the earliest recorded histories. People have through out the ages wondered about their origins, their views of a god and if their own life had direction, purpose and a goal. That hasn't changed. I am proud of your thoughts. You are honest and conscientious. I am pleased that you have not taken the route of some who are searching. I read just yesterday in a current newspaper that many atheists latest plan of attack on Christians is to try to make them feel like 'idiots' and ridicule rather than engage. I am also glad you haven't used the discussion stopper of intelligent superiority. I personally know people with doctorate that are very smart and those who are downright .....well, lets just say, they are educated well beyond their intelligence. Great minds through out the ages have believed that God is and that He is the great Lover of their Souls. It is my hope and prayer that you and Matt and others will come to the same conclusion. As Matt said, this was very well written. What you have done is describe your journey. It is true that a skeptical mind has merit and that honesty is required for finding the truth. And, yes truth exists.
I have heard many discribe the same journey even though they came from Islam, atheism and many other cultures and world views. We all have been or are in the same journey.
There is within most people the same question as to, “Am I believing what I do just because I happened to be born into this family, culture, etc.” It’s a valid question.
As to the math, Christianity is by far the largest religion on the planet. It is growing by leaps and bounds outside most of the US and Europe. So, your chances of ‘getting lucky’ are dramatically improved statistically. The beliefs and teachings are not from our ancient culture. They were from the area of the triangle of North Africa, Europe and Asia. The people first involved were not white Europeans. They were probably a mix of what we now call races. The stories and customs related were common to many of the people in those early years of human existence, before any dispersion. That would make since if either the tower of Babel story or evolutions Rift valley of Africa origins story were true.
Either way, all people, languages, religions, cultures, etc. had a common beginning.
Interestingly enough, the people then had the same tendencies, questions and needs that we have now. That’s why learning about them through history, Archeology and the like are important to us now. By the way, The Jewish scriptures are an ancient history. The writings of early written history are of great value. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, the five thousand year of scrolls were vastly important because they verified the authenticity of those same Jewish records of history and the experiences of humans. The same can be said of the Egyptian finds. They cross verify the earliest recorded histories.
People have through out the ages wondered about their origins, their views of a god and if their own life had direction, purpose and a goal. That hasn’t changed.
I am proud of your thoughts. You are honest and conscientious.
I am pleased that you have not taken the route of some who are searching. I read just yesterday in a current newspaper that many atheists latest plan of attack on Christians is to try to make them feel like ‘idiots’ and ridicule rather than engage.
I am also glad you haven’t used the discussion stopper of intelligent superiority. I personally know people with doctorate that are very smart and those who are downright …..well, lets just say, they are educated well beyond their intelligence.
Great minds through out the ages have believed that God is and that He is the great Lover of their Souls. It is my hope and prayer that you and Matt and others will come to the same conclusion.

]]> Comment on A personal introspection for my Christian friends by Matthew Dill http://notetoself.net/2010/03/08/a-personal-introspection-for-my-christian-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-905 Matthew Dill Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:01:59 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=751#comment-905 Again very well written...my path into, through, and out of Christianity was very similar. I felt like you were retelling much of my experiences. Good job bro Again very well written…my path into, through, and out of Christianity was very similar. I felt like you were retelling much of my experiences.

Good job bro

]]> Comment on “So what prompted the change to atheism?” by Kate http://notetoself.net/2010/03/04/so-what-prompted-the-change-to-atheism/comment-page-1/#comment-904 Kate Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:05:52 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=733#comment-904 I have been reading a lot about the philosophy of science I can tell you have been too. Great post John, well said. I have been reading a lot about the philosophy of science I can tell you have been too. Great post John, well said.

]]> Comment on Reflecting on my dad, the minister by Deana http://notetoself.net/2010/03/05/reflecting-on-my-dad-the-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-901 Deana Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:59:12 +0000 http://notetoself.net/?p=740#comment-901 I remember so many great times at Family camp! Running around getting into some fun trouble, your Dad taking pictures (which I do have to agree he was always a very kind and understanding Man). I also remember some very awesome times spent with the Lord. Moments that changed my life. Moments that some say do not exist but to those that experience them can only want to serve the Lord more and to be more like Him... By the way I believe you have your Dads gift of photography! I remember so many great times at Family camp! Running around getting into some fun trouble, your Dad taking pictures (which I do have to agree he was always a very kind and understanding Man). I also remember some very awesome times spent with the Lord. Moments that changed my life. Moments that some say do not exist but to those that experience them can only want to serve the Lord more and to be more like Him… By the way I believe you have your Dads gift of photography!

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